Description
Near-infrared JHK' and H_2_ v=1-0 S(1) imaging observations of the star-forming region AFGL 5142 are presented. A cluster of young stars is confirmed to be embedded in the dense molecular cloud core. Many point sources are newly detected. The cluster's K'-magnitude distribution and [H-K'] color peak have brighter and redder magnitudes than those outside the cluster. Many of the cluster sources exhibit infrared excesses typical of T Tauri stars, Herbig Ae/Be stars, and protostars. The observations also reveal new H_2_ line emission around the cluster, exhibiting several jets, filaments, and a faint elliptical structure. The jets are associated with the CO outflows in the region. The powering sources of the jets, the CO outflows, and the small faint elliptical structure are identified and analyzed individually. The strong H_2_ jets and faint diffuse emission further confirm that the cluster is in an early stage of evolution.
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